Exercise Stubs Out Cigarette Craving

Working hard to get rid of the smoking habit? Try this when there is a urge for a cigarette. Every time you are tempted to light up a cigarette consider doing a little exercise like walking, jogging or bike riding as these suppress nicotine cravings.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter and published in the Journal Addiction, was based on the data from 19 previous clinical trials and it found a strong association between physical activity and reduced carvings amongst smokers.

"Certainly, exercise seems to have temporary benefits, and as such can be strongly recommended," said Adrian Taylor, a professor of exercise and health psychology at the University of Exeter in Britain, who led the study as quoted by Reuters.

The study had engaged the smokers either with exercise that included brisk walking or biking or some form of passive activity such as watching video.

They noticed how the tendency to smoke died in the participants after working out. Overall the team noticed a one third less desire to smoke after working out.

Prior to this a study carried out in the May 11 journal Addictive Behaviors, that claimed moderate exercise can curb the nicotine cravings of women smokers but the effect was short lived. The research had stated that exercise does help improve the mood of smokers and curtail their cravings for a short period.

Similarly according to Taylor, exercise may distract the person, and boost their mood. 

Amy Norton was quoted in redorbit saying, "none of the smokers in these studies was in a quit program or using nicotine replacement products, like gums or patches. Since nicotine replacement therapy curbs cravings, exercise might have less of an effect for smokers who are using those products or possibly the other medication used for smoking cessation,"

According to Reuters, the research team encourages the smokers to opt for some therapies and just nicotine replacement